Daryl Horgan's late penalty made it back-to-back wins for Dundalk as last season’s First Division winners moved up to fourth in the table.
Ciarán Kilduff’s side had to do things the hard way, however, after midfielder Aodh Dervin was sent off six minutes from the end on what was his 100th Premier Division appearance of his career.
The Lilywhites were far from at their best on the night having excelled in the 5-0 win over Waterford FC 72 hours earlier but the Co Louth men showed the battling qualities to hold out for a huge three points.
John Russell’s side were arguably the better side throughout but their lack of goals – they are the lowest scorers in the league with just three to date – came back to haunt them as they struggled to breach a Dundalk defence that had shipped 10 goals prior to this weekend.
In the end it was a lack of defensive discipline that cost the Bit O Red as they conceded their fourth spot kick of the season to allow the hosts escape with a scarcely deserved three points.
There were few chances of note in a largely dull first-half that was overshadowed by an injury to Dundalk native and current Sligo Rovers winger, Ryan O’Kane, who had to be stretchered off following a nine minute delay after falling awkwardly in trying to reach a Jeannot Esua cross just before the interval.
O’Kane’s withdrawal came just three days after a more serious to Lilywhites’ goalkeeper Conor Kearn, who disclocated his knee in Friday’s 5-0 win over Waterford. Enda Minogue was preferred in goal to 42-year-old Peter Cherrie but had just one save to make in the opening period when he got down to his right to make a fairly routine save from Will Fitzgerald on 16 minutes.
There wasn’t much more for his opposite number, Sam Sergeant, to deal with. The English keeper did make two saves from Eoin Kenny but both were relatively straight at him from outside the box.
Perhaps the closest to a breakthrough at either end came in the 39th minute when Seb Quirk made a superb last ditch challenge inside the box to deny JR Wilson what looked a certain goal. Kenny had an effort blocked in the aftermath before Gbemi Arubi pulled an effort across the goal moments later.
There was almost a breakthrough four minutes after the restart when Archie Meekison, who had replaced O’Kane, rattled the crossbar from the edge of the box after Dundalk failed to clear a corner.
The Louth men had another let-off on 53 minutes when Minogue did superbly well to claw Gareth McElroy’s header from Fitzgerald’s corner onto the crossbar.
Dundalk were very much second best but were gifted a lead on 82 minutes when Horgan sent Sergeant the wrong way from the spot after Kenny was fouled by Fitzgerald.
The game then swung back in Sligo’s favour somewhat two minutes later when Dervin was shown a straight red card for a late challenge on Fitzgerald.
Seb Quirk did go close with a long range strike moments later but all subsequent efforts were well off target as the Lilywhites held out for their first back-to-back top flight wins since October 2023.
Dundalk: Minogue; JR Wilson, O’Keeffe, Animasahun, Burns; Wilson (Buckley 51), Dervin; McDaid (Mullen 51), Kenny, Horgan; Arub (Groome 62) (Warren 84).
Sligo Rovers: Sergeant; Esua, Denham, McElroy, Fitzgerald; Quirk, McManus; Nolan (Rego Priosti 83), McHugh, O’Kane (Meekison 45+7); Kavanagh (Traore HT).
Referee: Oliver Moran.
